Dick Harmon: NBA needs Jimmer Fredette's magic

Comments

Once Jimmers contract is up he will not get another sniff from another NBA team.
Face it Dick Jimmer is a bust and should be playing some where in Europe or
South America with Hoffa.

SlopJ30St Louis, MO

Feb. 12, 2014 9:17 a.m.

"But do you think teams game plan for Jimmer like the do Curry?"

Of course not. You don't game-plan for a backup PG playing 5-10
minutes per game.

"You think his shooting would be that high, he
was getting double teams like Curry?"

Impossible to say, but it
might be even harder to shoot a high percentage playing only a few minutes a
game than it is playing 35 with a constant green light. Coming in cold and
hitting 45+ percent as a guard is pretty darn good.

It sounds like
you may be construing my comments as "Jimmer is as good as Curry."
That's absurd . . but then, as much as I hate to keep trotting out this
example, "Steve Nash for MVP" would have been hilarious before he, you
know, actually won two MVP's. And, no, I'm not predicting MVP's
for Jimmer. I'm saying something that is absolute, unassailable truth:
No-one knows with any degree of certainty how Jimmer would produce if he played
starter minutes. I don't. You don't. I'd like to find out, and I
believe he'd do pretty well.

UteologyEast Salt Lake City, Utah

Feb. 10, 2014 11:42 p.m.

@SlopJ30

Right now, his true shooting % is 6th among all PG's,
even factoring in guys who don't qualify for the leader board. You
don't do that without NBA-level.

----------

According
to ESPN, Jimmer doesn't qualify. If you take ALL PGs he is 6th in
shooting, Curry at #7:

But
do you think teams game plan for Jimmer like the do Curry? You think his
shooting would be that high, he was getting double teams like Curry?

UteologyEast Salt Lake City, Utah

Feb. 10, 2014 11:27 p.m.

@poyman

The same nay sayers were claiming that Jimmer wouldn't
even get drafted yet two Lottery Teams were working on trades to get him... The
Kings actually traded up to get him in the #10 spot and Westphal was excited to
coach him... Unfortunately Westphal was fired 2 weeks into the season and Smart
( a very anti-white coach) got to call the shots for 2 years...

-----------

Anti white coach? Or anti-terrible defender coach?

"Fredette has the reputation of a terrible defender, something he
earned in college at BYU. Prior to the 2011 draft, ESPN New York's Ian
O'Connor said, "He didn't play any defense at BYU because he
wasn't asked to play any defense at BYU."

-- Source cited by
Dick Harmon

Sorry, he's not going to get 30 shots on ANY NBA
team. He needs to learn to play defense, it seems Rose couldn't teach him
that in college.

SlopJ30St Louis, MO

Feb. 10, 2014 12:36 p.m.

" . . anybody with any basketball sense at all could see this coming . .
"

You mean the part about being a few attempts at leading the
league in 3PT percentage? I don't think you know exactly what you mean.
Look, anyone who expected an all-star performance from day one was nuts, but no
more than anyone who watches him play now, in 2014, looks at his numbers, and
insists he's not an NBA player.

First, let's shelve talk of
Jimmer's defense. Got it; he's a poor defender. Is he the worst
defender in the history of organized sports? You'd think so, to hear some
of you talk. Two words: "echo chamber." He wasn't drafted to be a
lock-down defender, so why do so many discussions of his value start with a
knock on his defense?

Second, do two minutes of research before
opining. Sort NBA shooting stats any way you want, but you'll keep seeing
his name near the top of the list. Right now, his true shooting % is 6th among
all PG's, even factoring in guys who don't qualify for the leader
board. You don't do that without NBA-level

Anti GovernmentAlpine, UT

Feb. 10, 2014 11:40 a.m.

I was a big fan of Jimmers College basketball accomplishments. He was big time
when he had the ball in his hands most of the game and was able to shoot at will
and the defensive talent was far below the NBA.

As far as the NBA is
concerned, the only "magic" Jimmer would have is if he could actually
defend and make himself grow six inches because that is what it would take for
him to be successful at the next level.

I think Jimmer is a quality
person who tore up the College ranks with his success but I'm sorry he is a
guppie in the NBA pond.

CapsaicinSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 10, 2014 2:32 a.m.

Apparently Fredette needs jackson emery playing defense for him.

Cosmo's CousinHolladay, UT

Feb. 9, 2014 5:19 p.m.

The problem here is the Kings recognize Jimmer's talent but want to get him
for cheaper. They will re-sign him after his contract expires at a lower salary
and then unleash him on the NBA.

Once Jimmer gets the playing time
and more experience, he will surpass Larry Bird as one of the most accomplished
players in the NBA and will get rings and MVP awards. Yes, Jimmer has more
talent then Larry Bird no matter what utes fans say.

kfbobSALT LAKE CITY, UT

Feb. 9, 2014 11:54 a.m.

@Irwin

" Jimmer won't have accomplished half of what Andre
Miller has when he retires "

Maybe you ought to request that the
DN or SLtrib do an article about the charity work that Andre is doing? Sure
Andre is a good NBA player, but what has he done for humanity? I don't
know, no one is covering it. Maybe a lot. Does anyone know?

wazzupCottonwood Heights, UT

Feb. 9, 2014 8:51 a.m.

@BoringGuy. So now it's the messenger's fault regarding the booing of
the little kid being booed because he was wearing a BYU shirt? I guess the
18,000 or so fans didn't see it or participate? Harmon is not responsible
for promoting civility, the fans are.

jaba166Wasilla, AK

Feb. 9, 2014 5:56 a.m.

No idea how people like Joey K can write drivel like Jimmer is "no
good." Right now, if he had more minutes and the same stats, he would lead
the entire NBA in 3 pt % AND FT%, would be second in the NBA among all
PG's, and 7th among all guards in total FG%. This despite playing on a
selfish team with almost passes to or picks set for him. He's also second
on the team in A/T ratio. "NO GOOD???" RU kidding me? With such
#'s, what's the big deal about defense. Although not a lock-down
defender, most specialists on "D" aren't the best offensive players
either - can't have it all. Regardless, for those focusing only on
Jimmer's defense, your claims loose credibility when actually looking at
numbers. Look at his steals and rebounds per 48 minutes, and +/- in comparison
to other guards on the team. So, if you Jimmer haters want to spout nonsense,
at least try looking at objective data a little before you do so. When you
don't check your facts, you look either blind / jaded, or just silly.

Carol P. WarnickEphraim, Utah

Feb. 9, 2014 5:10 a.m.

I agree with every word of this article. Jimmer has brought dignity to
the sport of basketball in and off the floor. He is the kind of man that young
people can use as a pattern for sports.

poymanLincoln City, OR

Feb. 9, 2014 3:35 a.m.

I'm a 20 year Mavs Season Ticket Holder and I would absolutely love having
Fredette on our team... Granted, he's not overly fast but he can still get
to the rim with the best of them... And, I don't think there are 3 players
in the league that can shoot the 3 ball better or more consistently...

I watch everyone of Fredette's games and while Defense is not great,
it's not horrible (the starting PG for the Kings , Thomas, is continuously
posted up and his opponent usually walks away with one of his best games for the
season... Fredette is at least as good as that.

There have been
probably 3 or 4 games where Jimmer has come in and took over... When Thomas went
out in the most recent Kings-Jazz game and the Kings didn't have Gay or
Cousins, Jimmer almost brought them back from a 12 and 14 point deficit himself
before losing in the final minute.

Jimmer Fredette is not only a good
human being, he's a Basketball Star and he will be successful in the NBA...
Take that to the bank...

I believe Jimmer was 7-1 against the lowly
utes so I understand the frustration.

poymanLincoln City, OR

Feb. 9, 2014 3:15 a.m.

Dick Harmon, I have to tell you that I really enjoy your articles... They deal
with topics that are important to folks like me and I wouldn't listen to a
word from the ute fans that Max described so accurately...

The same
nay sayers were claiming that Jimmer wouldn't even get drafted yet two
Lottery Teams were working on trades to get him... The Kings actually traded up
to get him in the #10 spot and Westphal was excited to coach him...
Unfortunately Westphal was fired 2 weeks into the season and Smart ( a very
anti-white coach) got to call the shots for 2 years... Now the Kings have Malone
who picked up where Smart left off...

Fredette will get his chance
(of that I'm certain) and he will deliver just like J Linn did when he was
moved to NY (away from the Warriors and Keith Smart)... A year later J Linn got
the huge contract with the Rockets and now he is leading his team to a solid
position in the 2014 playoffs... Jimmer is better than J Linn and once he gets
his chance he will put a muzzle on the nay saying ute fans.

statmanLehi, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 10:55 p.m.

Jimmer is painfully slow? Ummm No. You're "white guys are slow"
bias is showing. In the draft combine, Jimmer was among the leaders in many of
the drills - and he placed in the top 25% of the draft class in pure measurable
athleticism.

Who's the painfully slow one?

ScoresIdaho Falls, ID

Feb. 8, 2014 7:01 p.m.

I Still Can't Say It....You must think only Ute fans are Jazz fans.
No wonder the Jazz can't fill their arena! If Jimmer was wearing a Jazz
Uni, I'm sure some Ute fans would then quit supporting the Jazz
altogether...not matter how many W's they got. Will Jimmer have a place in
the NBA? Of course, just not with the Jazz. Not a good place for him or them.

MESOUTEAlbany, NY

Feb. 8, 2014 7:00 p.m.

Nobody disputes Jimmer's accomplishments at the collegiate level. However,
anybody with a ny basketball sense at all could see this coming - except for
perhaps the Kings' scouts -. I predicted three years ago he would be out of
the NBA after his initial 3-year rookie deal. I think it is pretty clear my
prediction is inching closer to being a fulfilled prediction. Tel Aviv, Korean,
and Chinese leagues await the Jimmer and his rapping brother.

idabluIdaho Falls, ID

Feb. 8, 2014 4:34 p.m.

It is amazing to me how many Utah fans are simply incapable of showing any
objectivity. Still stinging from the beatdown that Jimmer put on the Utes
several times? No single player has EVER put up a comparable performance against
Utah and yet the Utah faithful can't admit he is worthy of the NBA. And
booing him even 3 yrs into the NBA when he comes to visit the JAZZ just shows
the level of class of so many of the Utah fan base.

There is no
question that Jimmer has gotten shafted at Sacramento. His defense is average
(definitely not the worst) and he has shown in limited minutes that he can score
with the best of them.

I, for one, would love to see DN to continue
to publish stories about Jimmer if, for nothing more, than to irritate those who
despise him so.

portlanderArlington, WA

Feb. 8, 2014 3:26 p.m.

The Portland Trailblazers NEED Jimmer Fredette immediately. They could go deep
into the playoffs with a guy of his caliber and talents! And they have two or
three very tradable assets to offer.

They need bench. They need a
quality backup to Damian Lillard. They need shooting, accuracy and points.

Honestly, living away from the Utah Valley, I get a perspective that
many don't get to enjoy there. People living outside of Utah don't
worship Jimmer. If anything, they just have a disdain for him.

First, he is a Mormon. Next, he's a great shooter. Third, he's nice,
moral and a good example. Fourth, he's white and has no "tats"!
He's a real "goodie-two-shoes"! Lastly, he's been on a team
that has thoroughly wasted his remarkable talent. And for those who say he plays
zero defense, get him into a rotation on a regular basis and the level of
defense required of him be developed!

Yeah, I'm on a bandwagon.
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS! TRADE FOR JIMMER!

Y-Ask-Y?Provo, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 2:59 p.m.

I am fascinated by Jimmer's numbers over those three years. He shoots just
as well from three as anywhere else.

I don't know what that
really means, but I found it interesting.

As a non-Jimmer-fan (or a
non-fan of Jimmer?), I will be the first to confess that I might have been wrong
about Jimmer not having NBA-level talent.

He most certainly DOES have
the kind of talent that would be perfect for one professional basketball team:
the Harlem Globtrotters!

Go (to Harlem), Jimmer!

CoolioSLC, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 2:43 p.m.

Interesting that he has upped those numbers by 10% in all three categories
listed. That's pretty good. I would love to see Jimmer prove his doubters
wrong and develop into a good NBA player. Only he can do that. He'll have
to find another level.

RichieSaint George, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 2:33 p.m.

unfortunately he won't come to the Jazz unless they change the whole front
office. John Lucas is a good example of there thinking.

edLos Olivos, CA

Feb. 8, 2014 2:29 p.m.

I don't understand. The NBA let MJ grab jerseys, push off, travel; let
Shaq charge every time he got the ball; let Kareem hook with his left arm, every
time he shot his sky hook; let Magic run over any defender. Why can't they
just have the officials make special calls for Jimmer's lack of defense?
IE: just call an offensive foul on any offensive player who gets by him. Or,
just give him the protection from defenses that MJ enjoyed. He would score so
much his lack of defense would not matter. Lots of players get special treatment
from officials to cover flaws. I believe this guy would be worth something
similar. PS: I have never been to the BYU campus.

Stringer BellHenderson, NV

Feb. 8, 2014 1:38 p.m.

Improvement must be due to all of the practice with the neighborhood kids.

CougaristaSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 1:31 p.m.

Nice story, Dick, on a local hero. Keep it coming and good luck to the Jimmer.

CWEBOrem, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 12:09 p.m.

Bring him to Utah... I "might" buy a ticket then.

trueblueBYUProvo, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 12:06 p.m.

Please keep writing these articles and keep us up to date on Jimmer. Much
appreciated. Thanks.

kevoSaratoga Springs, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 12:05 p.m.

Well said, Mr. Harmon. I couldn't have said it better myself. He's
shown the greatest class!

DnquixoteLas Vegas, NV

Feb. 8, 2014 11:50 a.m.

Jimmer was unreal in college, but few people outside of the BYU fanbase, (which
clearly includes Mr. Harmon), thought Jimmer would do more than he is doing in
the NBA.

Jeff29Draper, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 11:28 a.m.

There truly is something wrong with people who revel in the failure of
others.

I get why Ute fans don't like Max Hall, but Jimmer
showed nothing but class toward the U players, coaches and fans, yet three year
later, these people still criticize and boo him. I was at the Sacramento game
last week, and the boos everytime Jimmer touched the ball were louder than the
cheers for the Jazz. And the booing of the little kid in the Jimmer jersey,
well, that just kind of proves that maybe Max was right.

TilkaPORTLAND, OR

Feb. 8, 2014 11:21 a.m.

The Jimmer haters might get surprised when he ends up with Oklahoma and becomes
their spot up three guy.

Uncle RicoSandy, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 11:16 a.m.

Looks like I'm back on the Jimmer bandwagon!

Hoosier87American Fork, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 10:55 a.m.

Having been a gym rat my entire life, and played very competitive basketball
during my day - I for one am a huge fan of Jimmer's game.

His
shot is perfect! Perfect form and perfect range.

Basketball is a
game of spacing. If you have a shooter that can open the middle for your big
men, then that player is priceless. I have NO DOUBT that a quality team will
pick him up, play him a lot of minutes and pay him handsomely for his
services.

If some of you would drop the anti-BYU rant for a minute
and be objective, you'd realize that. The NBA does not require you to be a
lock down defender to find a home.

Get out of Sacramento and
he'll do just fine.

And I too follow Jimmer every night to see
how he did. He's incredibly fun to watch play.

GoldminerSalem, ut

Feb. 8, 2014 10:52 a.m.

The Jazz really messed up in not taking Jimmer. I believe he would have made a
difference and the games would be sold out for sure.

Jimmer is the
model for what NBA (and ALL professional players) SHOULD be: people of
integrity, honor, and class! Not the tattoo covered, immoral, selfish players
that so many are today. PERIOD!!!

ekuteLayton, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 10:23 a.m.

He's a great guy. He's not an NBA player. Put articles about him in
the Family section.

JohnnyJingleSOUTH JORDAN, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 9:40 a.m.

Jimmer will make $2.4 million in salary this year. I'm sure he's
suffering.

morpunktGlendora, CA

Feb. 8, 2014 9:38 a.m.

The Lakers have been needing to replace the aging Steve Nash with Jimmer. I have
been saying this for the last 2 years.

BoringGuyHolladay, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 9:10 a.m.

"...but that ilk booed a little kid in a BYU shirt when a cameramen put the
tyke on the big screen."

Harmon, it's not productive to
instigate. The Utah-BYU rivalry is nasty enough and local media should be trying
to calm things down rather than make the tension between the fan bases even
worse.

Please use better judgement next time and take the high road
by promoting civility. Thank you very much.

Irwin FletcherSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 8:57 a.m.

Yeah, the NBA needs more mediocre players that don't complain about not
being allowed to shine while being payed big $$$; what a star! Jimmer won't
have accomplished half of what Andre Miller has when he retires but the local
media barely pay Andre any attention even when he comes to SLC. That is a
hard-working player without the obnoxious swagger of the typical under-achieving
NBA player (looking at you Boozer).

Face facts, even on a team
"that wants him", Jimmer is not going to be game-changer kind of guy. He
just isn't a marquee NBA player.The NBA does NOT need more players like
Jimmer, it badly needs more players that are as skilled at defense as offense.

I Still Can't Say ItHolladay, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 8:57 a.m.

I'm sure Jimmer will be "freed" and playing for another team soon
enough. Jimmer's new team will be in Europe or Turkey though. Jimmer was
fine in the MWC but can't hang in the NBA plain and simple.

In
the meantime, people in ESA were booing the BYU shirt and not the child. Big
difference and perfectly understandable.

VladhagenSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 8:41 a.m.

I think it would be great if Jimmer got traded to Denver, the Knicks, or the
Nets.

I do find it odd that some are of the ilk that they still mock
his lack of playing time and or apparent lack of major trade talk about him. He
has logged hundreds more minutes in the NBA than any of us (unless Chris B
stands for Bosh, which I sort of doubt.) . I also find it odd that some are of
the ilk that they will actually come to an article about Jimmer and read it and
comment on it telling us to stop talking about Jimmer.

Free Jimmer
.

trueblueBYUProvo, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 8:36 a.m.

Please keep talking about Jimmer.

ute alumniSLC, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 8:33 a.m.

why does anyone have interest in the nba. absolutely boring. i continue to hope
that they will trade him for chrissy b and aloow us to see chrissy's
athleticism, foot speed and verticality. i can't wait. and yes, given a
chance, jimmer will be tremendous.

HerbyHurricane, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 8:29 a.m.

Jimmer Fredette = The State of Utah's Tim Tebow

wazzupCottonwood Heights, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 8:28 a.m.

Jimmer shows more class than those Jazz fans who think its cool to boo a little
kid. That one bush league display has turned me in to an 'anyone but the
Utah Jazz' fan. But what was expected? Max Hall was right. :)

StocksOnTheRocksLehi, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 7:52 a.m.

Jimmer to the Jazz! He would fill a lot of empty seats up, Jimmer is a great
player, he just got drafted by a team, which would be a rugged fit for anyone,
and since the Jazz missed Jimmer, and Damian Lillard, In state players, playing
College ball in the Jazz's backyards, ??? make up Call for the Jazz?? quit
sleeping through the local "GREATS"

utroyalwulfflogan, ut, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 7:49 a.m.

the NBA needs JC Carroll for USU. He has been tearing up the Italian league for
several years. Is a great shooter and for his size is a fantastic defensive
player and rebounder. Jimmer might still be a great shooter but that is it,
there is nothing else to his game.

RikitikitaviCardston, Alberta

Feb. 8, 2014 7:42 a.m.

Class all the way around is truly the Jimmer style and how he respects his wife
and everyone for that matter is truly worthy of emulation. I watched again for
the ???time his 52-point night I attended vs UNM at the MWC tourney. Best
basketball performance I ever witnessed and by such a phenomenal person. Free
Jimmer..the league needs his class and several teams will truly value his
presence and value his contribution as an integral part of their team.

Joey KSandy, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 7:14 a.m.

It doesn't matter if he is a good ambassador or nice guy or dealt with
adversity. The NBA needs more players who are talented. Jimmer is not good.
Coach Rose gave him free reigns for the offense, but he never learned to pass or
play defense.

This article is irrelevant if you fail to mention
Jimmer's lack of legitimate NBA talent.

gotoldIvins, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 6:26 a.m.

I usually read about a paragraph of these kind of "hero worship
articles" and move on, but I really enjoyed this one. The good lord blessed
Jimmer with the ability to shoot the basketball better than anyone else.... then
made him painfully slow. I hope he finds a place where he fits in and plays a
bigger role than he does now. Unfortunately, I don't think that will
happen.

ex patria cougarAustralia, 00

Feb. 8, 2014 3:08 a.m.

Fredette is the only reason I follow the NBA at all. And I admit, I follow
every Kings game I can just to see how he did.

I hope Jimmer knows
there's a lot of people pulling for him.

SchwaSouth Jordan, UT

Feb. 8, 2014 1:27 a.m.

Please stop talking about Jimmer.

rvalens2Burley, ID

Feb. 8, 2014 1:14 a.m.

Sacramento should have never drafted Jimmer Fredette.

Fredette has
been stuck on the wrong team for three years. Thankfully, he will be a free
agent this coming summer. If Sacramento's smart, they'll trade him
before the trade deadline to a team that wants him.

After watching
some of the abysmal shooting the Jazz have displayed (over the past few games)
I'm not so sure Jimmer couldn't help them. He might not be a lock down
defender, but then few NBA players are; so criticizing him for that doesn't
make a whole lot sense. He wouldn't have to do much, other than
become the Jazz official "zone buster." Watching him hit 35 foot jump
shots might actually help instill a little confidence into the other Jazz
players.

Whatever happens to Jimmer Fredette, here's one Ute fan
who wishes him well.

Joe SchmoeOrem, UT

Feb. 7, 2014 11:25 p.m.

Ilk was a great description of that "fan" base.

Fredette
will get his shot. He is putting up some good number on limited playing time.
That is exactly what he needs to do. He will get traded and have a great season
and everybody in Sactown will be scratching their heads.

Chris BSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 7, 2014 11:13 p.m.

What's I don't get is, with the kings clearly not having Jimmer in
their future, why haven't they traded first round pick Jimmer for a first
round pick from all the teams offering first round picks for him?

Surely there are teams fighting and offering at least one first round pick to
get first round Jimmer right?

And not just first round, but lottery
pick like Jimmer was.

Cougar Blue 1Henderson , NV

Feb. 7, 2014 10:41 p.m.

Free the JIMMER!! Once he gets off the Sac Town Queens, either through a trade
or free agency, he will have an opportunity to showcase his range. Isaiah
Thomas continues to shoot over 20 plus FG's a game while the team continues
to lose. Yet they don't give a guy who is a much better shooter, knows how
to spread the floor, a chance to start. To me that says more about an
organization and coaching than a guys inability to perform.